Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah
Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah (Arabic: الشيخ صباح الخالد الحمد الصباح; born 3 March 1953) is a Kuwaiti diplomat and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Kuwait from 2019 to 2022. he served in different governmental posts from 2006 until 2019.[1] He is a senior member of the ruling Al Sabah family.
Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah | |
---|---|
الشيخ صباح الخالد الحمد الصباح | |
8th Prime Minister of Kuwait | |
In office 19 November 2019 – 19 July 2022 | |
Monarchs | |
Deputy | Mohammad Al Khalid Al Sabah |
Preceded by | Jaber Al-Mubarak |
Succeeded by | Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah (Acting) Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah |
Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait | |
In office 4 December 2011 – 19 November 2019 | |
Prime Minister | Jaber Al-Mubarak |
Preceded by | Jaber Al-Mubarak |
Succeeded by | Mohammad Al Khalid |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
In office 22 October 2011 – 19 November 2019 | |
Prime Minister |
|
Preceded by | Muhammad Al Sabah |
Succeeded by | Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah |
Personal details | |
Born | Kuwait City, Kuwait | 3 March 1953
Political party | Independent |
Early life and education
Sabah was born on 3 March 1953.[2] He is the son of Khalid bin Hamad Al Sabah and Mouza bint Ahmad Al Sabah, daughter of Ahmad bin Jabir Al Sabah, who was the ruler of Kuwait from 1921 to 1950. He is the brother of Mohammad Al Khalid Al Sabah, deputy prime minister and interior minister of Kuwait. His other brother Ahmad Al Khalid Al Sabah is a former deputy prime minister and defense minister.[3]
He holds a bachelor's degree in political sciences which he received from Kuwait University in 1977.[2][4]
Career
Sabah started his career in 1978, joining the ministry of foreign affairs.[5] Until 1995 he worked at the ministry in various capacities, including being a member of Kuwait's permanent mission to the United Nations (1983–1989).[2] In 1995, he became Kuwait's ambassador to Saudi Arabia and served in the post until 1998.[6] During this period he was also Kuwait's envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).[6] From 1998 to 2006 he was the chief of the national security.[6]
In July 2006, he was given his first ministerial role and appointed minister of social affairs and labor.[7] He was also the acting foreign minister during this period.[8] His tenure as minister of social affairs and labor lasted until October 2007 when he was named as minister of information.[9] Then he was named an advisor in the Amiri Diwan.[10] In February 2010, he was appointed to the Supreme Petroleum Council.[10]
On 22 October 2011, he became both deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs.[11] Sabah replaced Mohammad Al Sabah as foreign minister.[11] In a reshuffle of 14 December 2011 Sabah was also appointed minister of state for cabinet affairs.[12] Later this post was assumed by Mohammad Abdullah Al Mubarak Al Sabah.[13] On 4 August 2013, Sabah was made first deputy prime minister in addition to his post as foreign minister.[14]
On 19 November 2019, Sabah became the 8th prime minister of Kuwait through Emiri decree after the resignation of his predecessor Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.[15] In May 2021, Sabah spoke in favor of a new Kuwaiti law requiring 10 years imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 Kuwaiti Dinar for anyone supporting Israel in real life or on social media.[16] He submitted his cabinet's resignation on 5 April 2022, which the emir accepted on 10 May 2022 with a request to remain in a caretaker capacity.[17][18]
Personal life
Sabah is married to Aida Salim Al Ali Al Sabah and has two children.[5] Aida Al Sabah is the board chair of Sheikh Salim Al Ali Al Sabah Informatics Award.[19]
Honours and awards
- (Saudi Arabia): Order of King Abdulaziz (1998)[20]
- (Sudan): Grand Officer of the Order of the Two Niles (2012).[21][22]
- (United Kingdom): Honorary Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (27 November 2012).[23][24]
See also
References
- "Kuwait emir reappoints Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid as PM - state media". Reuters. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
- "His Excellency Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah". Kuwait Embassy (Tokyo). Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
- "Premier on mission to select team of competent ministers". Kuwait Times. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- "Profiles of new Kuwaiti Cabinet members". KUNA. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
- "Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah". Kuwait Embassy (Berlin). Retrieved 21 April 2013.
- "Biography of Ministers". Arab Times. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
- "Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid named Kuwait PM". www.tradearabia.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- "Kuwaiti minister on talks between foreign ministers of GCC, Egypt, Jordan, US". BBC Monitoring International Reports. 1 December 2006. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
- "Government Removes Controversial Ministers In New Cabinet Lineup". Wikileaks. 29 October 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- "New Supreme Petroleum Council Meets -- Room for Progress?". Wikileaks. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
- "Sheikh Sabah Appointed FM". Arab Times. Kuwait City. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
- "Kuwait swears in new government". Al Shorfa. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
- "New Kuwaiti cabinet swears in before HH Amir". Gulf in the Media. KUNA. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
- "Kuwait's new cabinet". Global Post. AFP. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
- "Profile of new PM Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah". Kuwait News Agency.
- "Kuwaiti Govt announces 10 years jail, fine for those who support Israel". Free Press Kashmir. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- "Kuwait's crown prince finally accepts government's resignation". Reuters. 10 May 2022.
- Ahmed Hagagy (5 April 2022). "Kuwait's government resigns in latest standoff with parliament". Reuters. Kuwait. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- Baher Esmat (22 May 2012). "ICANN Receives Arab World Award". ICANN. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
- "Profile of new PM Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah". KUNA. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- "Kuwait's new Cabinet line-up". Arab Times. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- Christina Pinto (19 November 2019). "H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled a man with a distinguished career and impeccable track record". Times Kuwait. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "2011 Honorary awards" (PDF). publishing.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- "Consultations continue for consensus on Cabinet". Times Kuwait. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
External links
- Media related to Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah at Wikimedia Commons